Delaware Sea Grant Research Pre-Proposals Due Date Extended

To better accommodate regional activities, the funding cycles of all Sea Grant College Programs around the country are being aligned. As part of this process, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program has developed a targeted RFP for one year of funding to commence in February 2011 and end Jan. 31, 2012. By 2012 the funding cycles of all Sea Grant College programs will be aligned, and the Delaware Program will revert to the standard two-year cycle.

The following research areas, along with their companion outreach components, have been identified as priorities for this RFP.

Healthy Coastal Ecosystems. Science and policy research and outreach in support of ecosystem-based approaches to managing coastal environments. Emphasis is on:

• Ecosystem processes and relationships between coastal stressors, particularly sea-level rise, and long-term human and ecosystem health.
• Marine spatial planning.

Sustainable Coastal Development. Research and outreach that address issues related to climate change and associated risks faced by coastal communities. Emphasis is on:

• Estimates of coastal inundation and sea level rise.
• Socio-economic data and modeling focused on assessing risk and impacts for coastal communities to climate change-related factors such as sea-level rise.

Hazard Resilience in Coastal Communities. Science and policy research and outreach that provide an informed basis for assessing the risks associated with living and working in coastal communities. Emphasis is on:

• Development of strategies that will help communities mitigate and adapt to climate change-related issues such as sea-level rise.
• Assessing community risks and vulnerabilities associated with coastal natural hazards and climate change-related issues.

Investigators wishing to participate in this one-year program of targeted research must submit pre-proposals, according to the guidelines here, to the Delaware Sea Grant Office by Feb. 26, 2010. Invitations to submit full proposals will be issued on April 5, 2010. Full proposals will be due May 7, 2010. (Update: Due to the weather conditions, the deadline for pre-proposals has been extended to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 1, 2010. Invitations to submit full proposals will be issued on April 12, 2010. Full proposals will be due May 12, 2010.)